SPORTS PEOPLE: FOOTBALL

SPORTS PEOPLE: FOOTBALL; A Deal Is Reached On Sale of Patriots

Published: March 21, 1992

JAMES BUSCH ORTHWEIN, the brewery family magnate who wants to re-establish a National Football League team in St. Louis, might or might not get his wish, but by the time the National Football League picks two new expansion franchises in October, Orthwein, at least, will have had some practice as an N.F.L. owner, and the N.F.L., moreover, will owe him a very big favor.

That's because Orthwein has come to terms on a deal to buy VICTOR KIAM's majority interest in the debt-laden New England Patriots, relieving the N.F.L. of the prospect of litigation and assuring the team's continued presence in New England.

Under a complicated arrangement, Orthwein, who plans to resell the team as soon as another buyer can be found, will acquire Kiam's 51 percent share by paying off a $23.5 million loan Kiam owes a New York bank and a debt of less than $5 million Kiam still owes the Patriots' former owner, BILLY SULLIVAN.